Jamie Roberts is British & Irish Lions Test centre and while on his day he is one of the finest gainline breaking backs in the world, his past two seasons have been laced with injuries.

He made his debut for Wales in the 2008 Six Nations match against Scotland, having already burst into the Cardiff Blues side earlier in the season. His imposing 6'4'' frame and genuine pace make him a dangerous finisher from anywhere across the back line.

Roberts originally began as a fullback, but due to the presence of ex-All Black Ben Blair at the Blues he was employed almost exclusively on the wing during the 2007-08 season. His first cap also came on the wing, but it proved to be his only appearance during Wales' march to the Grand Slam. Roberts' second opportunity in the red jersey came when he was selected at fullback by Warren Gatland for the first Test against South Africa on Wales' summer tour in 2008. His third cap came the following weekend, and may well have had a bearing on his future at both club and international level. Gatland felt that Wales lacked physicality in midfield, and moved Roberts to inside centre for the second Test.

After a bullish display at 12 for Wales, he was selected there for Cardiff's opening game of the 2008-09 season, and has stayed there ever since.

He was an ever-present in Wales' 2009 Six Nations campaign although he lost his starting place to Gavin Henson in the title decider against Ireland. His efforts also saw him rewarded with selection for the British & Irish Lions' tour to South Africa. He was selected for the first Test in Durban and linked brilliantly with Brian O'Driscoll to set up Tom Croft for his first try. Roberts also played in the second Test but went off with an injury late on, which ruled him out of the third Test as the Lions went down 2-1. His performances in the two Tests he played earned him the Lions' Player of the Series award.

Roberts pushed on for club and country over the next couple of seasons playing a key part in both the 2010 and 2011 Six Nations campaigns. And Roberts went on to start all three of Wales' warm-up Test prior to the World Cup. Roberts shone for Wales during the World Cup making six appearances and crossing the line against Fiji twice en route to their fourth placed finish.

But in the run up to the 2012 Six Nations Roberts was struggling from injury, but he recovered from the knock in time to take to the field in their opener against Ireland. Roberts shone for the national side before turning out in their next two games against Scotland and then England. But Roberts was forced to leave the field at half-time in their match with England with what transpired to be a knee injury. Roberts recovered in time to start against Italy and France - scoring an important try against the Azzurri - and helped them towards their Grand Slam.

But since that Grand Slam, Roberts was sidelined with a knee injury. He missed Wales' end of year tour to Australia and the start of the 2012-13 campaign. However he recovered his top fitness and form for the latter stages of Wales' triumphant Six Nations campaign and was subsequently selected for the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia.

He missed the opening two tests of the series with the Wallabies with a hamstring injury but returned for the final decisive test and played a key role for the Lions, including scoring one of their tries, as they won the series.

While playing for the Blues, Roberts completed a medical degree at the University of Wales Hospital, Cardiff.